The Government are way ahead - domestic gas rationing in UK, this would be done by rolling 3 hour electricity blackouts - as most central heating systems rely on a continuous electricity supply.

The government has had it planned for years - see http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file35360.pdf ! Maybe a gas fire with a piezo spark starter would work and gas rings / ovens could be used - but not as heaters as they are not flued and Carbon monoxide could build up.

So lay in the candles, a camping stove - primus , propane gas, easily heated / cooked food , plan for vulnerable people , children , the elderly and get out the board games if the TV doesn't work. In the long term install a wood stove.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Sunday, Jan 11., said an EU-brokered deal aimed at restoring the supply of Russian gas to Europe via Ukrainian pipelines was off. He said Russia objected to additions made by Ukraine.

Medvedev made the remarks in a discussion with Moscow's foreign minister shown on television. He said Russia objected to a handwritten addition made to the formal agreement by the Ukrainian side, calling it a "mockery of common sense."

"I think that those who have signed this document with reservations well understand the legal consequences of their actions," he told Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Dmitry Medvedev, left, meeting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Sunday, Jan. 11"As a result, we are obliged to consider the document signed as null and void for us. We will not apply it as long as this reserve is not overturned," he added.

The declaration, which was seen by Reuters, said that Ukraine had not siphoned off transit gas and that it has no outstanding debts to Gazprom. That is the issue that stands at the center of the dispute.

Russia won't restart supplies

Moscow has insisted it will not restart gas supplies to Europe until it has a valid deal. Supplies have been halted since Wednesday. He urged EU officials to demand Ukraine withdraw its so-called declaration that it issued to accompany the agreement.

The European Commission says the declaration can't change the deal, but Lavrov told Medvedev that the copy of the deal Russia has received contains Ukraine's stipulation that it only is valid along with the declaration.

Lady Amos (whose perfumed path upwards and onwards under the guardianship of Tony Bair) is best remebered for her scurrying around Africa to get votes on the UN General Council for the 2 nd resolution to start a war with Saddam

This is best considered (and her motives at the time) by the conversation that Clare Short gave to the BBC .

"I mean enormous pressure was brought to bear - Valerie Amos, Lady Amos, went round Africa with people from our intelligence services trying to press them. I had to make sure that we didn't promise a misuse of aid in a way that would be illegal.

Q: A view - was it being suggested then?

CS: There was worry about her brief and making sure that there was no such suggestion because it would have been a breach of the law...

Q: But can I question you on that for a second - did somebody suggest that that might have been the right strategy?

CS: We were worried that that was going to be done and went to some trouble to make sure her briefing made it clear that that could not legally be done.

Of course what passed between the dusky long limbed beauty and the people she met may never be know (unlike the conversation she had with Kofi Annan which were monitored and recorded) ane it is unlikely she or her MI6 minders , FCO chappies will ever tell us.

Clare was of course never refuted in her further claims ..

Q: So in other words, British spies - let's be very clear about this in case I'm misunderstanding you - British spies have been instructed to carry out operations within the United Nations on people like Kofi Annan?

CS: Yes absolutely.

Q: Did you know about this when you were in government?

CS: Absolutely, I read some of the transcripts of the accounts of his conversations.

Q: Is this legal?

CS: I don't know - I presume so. It's odd but I don't know about the legalities.

She has always been coy about her "boy friend" but we have heard that James Purnell is know to admire the way she and Baroness Sotland manage to jiggle with their glasses and neck scarves whilst lounging on the scarlet benches of the House of Lords.